NaNoWriMo - Novel in a Month - You've Got to Be Kidding!

November is National Novel Writing Month. The mission? Write a novel of 50 000 words in one month. Start on the 1st of November and submit to verification from the 25th of November to 30th of November.

Long way to end when starting gate looms ahead.

 Sounds easy? Think again.

You have to write on average 1700 words a day, every day for 30 days. Any writer busy with a book will tell you this is no easy feat. The positive side to this is that you get the first draft down and finished in a very limited time frame. Although most of what you are going to write is going to be crap style- and grammar wise, at least you will have something to edit in December.

I find that writing the first draft is the hardest part of getting the story down on paper. That is only until I have to start editing, then that is the hardest part, but at least it gives you something to work with.

Check out my personal blog for progress on the novel (don't even have a plot yet! )

Feel free to add you own nanowrimo story in the comment section. The more support we have the better.

Contest - Emotions Red Roses Evoke

What emotion do red roses inpsire in you?

This week I propose a little contest of sorts. Take a look at the picture and write a short story of no more than 300 words describing what emotion the roses inspire. Off the cuff, I can think of happy, sad, love, regret and forgiveness.

Post your story in the comment section before 12 midnight on Saturday, 18 October EST. After the entries have closed, I will afford everyone a chance to vote for their favorite entry until 12 midnight Tuesday 21 October.

On Wednesday 22 October I will reveal the result of the vote.

Why do I think it is a good idea?

No one can ever know enough about writing and reading other people's creativity often sparks some of your own. I believe all writers can learn from each other and that too few people are afforded the opportunity to do so.

So put pen to paper and let us have it.

Above all - keep writing.